Nuclear Nonproliferation: Better Information Needed on Results of National Nuclear Security Administration's Research and Technology Development Projects

Abstract

The full extent to which research and technology development projects managed by two programs in the National Nuclear Security Administrations (NNSA) Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) have resulted in advanced(progressed technologies or science supporting them), transitioned (provided to users for further development or deployment), or deployed (used in the field)technologies is unclear because NNSA does not consistently track and document all of these outcomes. Specifically, the DNN Research andDevelopment (DNN R and D) and Nonproliferation and Arms Control (NPAC)programs track and document technology advancements resulting from their projects, such as in project reports. However, NNSA officials acknowledged that DNN R and Dby far the larger programdoes not consistently track and document whether its projects result in technologies transitioned to or deployed by end users. In contrast, the NPAC program tracks and documents these project outcomes. By not consistently tracking and documenting technology transition and deployment outcomes, NNSA is unable to demonstrate the full results of its projects. GAO gathered information from various sources on a sample of 91 projects. Of these, 88 projects advanced technologies by, for example, building instrument hardware or developing models for data analysis; the other 3 did not advance technologies but assessed potential applications of existing technologies. Among the 88 projects that advanced technologies, 33also resulted in technologies being transitioned, including software used to analyze nuclear detonations. Finally, of these 33 projects, 17 also resulted in deployed technologies, including an enrichment monitoring tool used in Iran and space-based nuclear detonation sensors. Reasons that some technologies in the sample did not move beyond the advancement or transition stage included that the technology needed further development or evaluation before being used.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2017
Accession Number
AD1167253

Entities

People

  • Shelby S. Oakley

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  • United States Government Accountability Office

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